The East-Southeasternmost Point of the U.S.

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Above: This is both the easternmost and east-southeasternmost point of the U.S. This is at Quoddy Head State Park, near Lubec, Maine. I first visited this park in 1985 and it was good to be back (1:24)

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The easternmost point of the United States is at Quoddy Head, Maine. It's also known as "West Quoddy Head," which is interesting considering that it's the easternmost point of the U.S. (which begs the question: where exactly is East Quoddy Head?). There’s a wonderful state park here featuring the majestic and distinctive red-and-white striped West Quoddy Head Lighthouse, which was built in 1858.

I first visited this site in the fall of 1985, the first extreme compass point I had ever been to, and it’s where my interest in visiting extreme geographic points all began. Little did I realize that 31 years later, I'd spend seven months traveling around the country visiting such extreme sites in a quest to hopefully become the first person to visit all 16 extreme geographic compass points in the U.S.

Maine has five of the 16 extreme geographic compass points in the U.S. and the previous day I’d visited three of them: the north-northeasternmost, northeasternmost, and east-northeasternmost points, all along the St. John River in northern Maine. After camping in Aroostook State Park in northern Maine after that whirlwind adventure, I headed down to the east coast of Maine (called “Down East”) the next day.

My primary destination was Quoddy Head, which like I say is not only the easternmost point of the U.S. but the east-southeasternmost point of the U.S., as well. Two for the price of one was a deal I just couldn’t pass up. During my first visit to Quoddy Head, in 1985, I’d camped at nearby Cobscook State Park on the Maine coast, then the next morning I was the first visitor to Quoddy Head State Park. It was still a manned lighthouse back then, with Coast Guard staff operating the lighthouse around-the-clock. During the hour that I was there, I had the park all to myself – except, of course, for the lighthouse keepers.

My, how things have changed. I pulled into the parking lot in mid-afternoon and was surprised by all the visitors. There was even a school bus here loaded with school kids enjoying a field trip. The lighthouse was now automated and the former Lighthouse Keeper’s house had been converted into a Visitor’s Center. I walked into the Visitor’s Center and a couple older guys were sitting behind the desk. I told them about my adventure around America, visiting the 16 extreme compass points and mentioned that not only was this the easternmost point of the U.S., but it was also the east-southeasternmost point, something they apparently didn’t realize.

It was a beautiful afternoon and I spent about two hours in the park, walking on the trails, taking dozens of pictures of the beautiful lighthouse and the grounds, and shooting a short video. As the sun started to dip on the horizon, I left the park -- the final visitor of the day, apparently. Then I headed into nearby Lubec, which is the easternmost city in the U.S., where I stopped at the easternmost grocery story in the U.S. and bought a rotisserie chicken for dinner. And not just any rotisserie chicken, mind you, but the easternmost rotisserie chicken.

I drove around Lubec a bit then headed back up Highway 1 to my favorite state park on the Maine coast, Cobscook once again, and camped at one of the most incredible campsites I've ever seen, right on the rocky bay. Yes, after 31 years, it was nice to be back.

How to Get There:

To get to this point, travel on Highway 1 in eastern Maine until you reach State Highway 189, then head towards the city of Lubec, the easternmost city in the U.S. Just before you reach Lubec, you'll see a sign pointing to the right for Quoddy Head State Park. Take this road all the way to the end. There's a parking lot here. Be advised that the grounds are open only during daylight hours (hours vary, so check their website). And this is a State Park, so there is a small admission fee.

The East-Southeasternmost Point

Warming my hands at a chilly Aroostook State Park in northern Maine. I'd visited three of the 16 extreme geographic compass points the day before, and on this day I was planning to visit two more.

That afternoon I reached the Maine coast and Quoddy Head State Park.

The West Quoddy Lighthouse, which I'd first visited in 1985.

The former Lighthouse Keeper's house has been converted into a Visitor Center.

The lighthouse has always had the distinctive red-and-white banding.

The light, which is now automated.

Some consider Sail Rock, in the distance, to be the easternmost point of the U.S. I don't count islands, though. So for me, the easternmost point is here on the mainland.

In fact, this is the easternmost point of the U.S. And it's also the east-southeasternmost point.

There was school field trip. All future Extreme Geographers, I'm sure.

Above: The east-southeasternmost point (and easternmost point) of the U.S. is at Quoddy Head State Park in eastern Maine, near the city of Lubec. I created the blue line, with a bearing of 22.50 degrees, to help me determine the east-southeasternmost point.